Category: Know How

Whether for connecting to the Internet or connecting external peripherals: Cables are always involved. If they are not selected and fitted correctly, they can easily tear out or break and damage the Mini PC. What options are there to protect the mini PC against this?

Strain relief

For flexible electrical lines, including cables, there is a mechanical protective device known as a strain relief. This is mandatory for portable electrical equipment(e.g. cables, circuit boards, audio connectors) and is standardized in accordance with EN 62444.  

The strain relief consists of metal or plastic clamps that prevent the cable from being pulled out by clamping it.

Strain relief in use

Cable gland

Another option is the use of screwable cables, which also provide strain relief. The advantages are manifold. A screwed-in power supply unit, for example (see Fig. 3), can no longer be pulled out easily or accidentally. This keeps the PC supplied with power and protects the operating system from possible damage caused by a sudden reset. Another advantage of screwable cables is better insulation, especially on the housing of a Mini PC. External influences such as dust or moisture in production halls can no longer reach the inside of the system thanks to the firm and sealed connection, thus extending the service life of a Mini PC.

Nowadays, metric threads are prescribed for the cable gland in accordance with DIN EN 60423, as well as a minimum protection rating of IP54. However, to protect people from potential hazards when using the devices, protection ratings of IP65, which is declared as dust and water jet protected, and IP68, which is declared as dust and waterproof, are common.

Which cables and connections can be screwed in?

After all the theory, let’s move on to the practice: Which cables can actually be screwed together? The RS-232 serial interface, better known as COM, and the VGA and DVI multimedia interfaces are probably the most common (see Fig. 2). Their sockets and plugs are equipped with threads as standard and can therefore not be removed so easily.

Further security options

However, there are also cables that stay securely and firmly in place without having to be screwed in. This applies to the LAN cable on the one hand and the DisplayPort multimedia interface on the other. Both rely on the principle of latching hooks, so-called locking lugs, which ensure that the cable really holds. When disconnecting the cable, the lug on the top of the plug is simply pressed down.

The HDMI cable is a thing in itself. As it does not actually have any security to remain firmly connected, there are now various options to ensure this. These include silicone cable covers or individually available HDMI cables that are equipped with a mechanism that can be used to manually engage and disengage a type of locking system. A detailed test report can be found here.

AMD Ryzen™ with Radeon™ Vega graphics card

The first AMD Ryzen™ desktop processors with integrated Radeon™ Vega graphics cards were released at the beginning of 2018. Thanks to this all-in-one solution, the user no longer needs separate processors and graphics cards – perfect for all those who rely on desktop systems and require high performance. According to AMD, the Ryzen™ processors with Radeon™ Vega graphics card offer “powerful multiprocessing out-of-the-box” thanks to 4 cores and up to 8 threads. They should also offer even greater responsiveness for applications that use GPU acceleration.  (Source: amd.com)

Duplicate & extend: Multi-monitor via Windows settings

The easiest way to duplicate or expand a display when using an AMD graphics card is – as with Intel and Nvidia – via the Windows settings. These can be found by right-clicking on the desktop either under the name “Screen resolution” (Windows 7) or “Display settings” (Windows 10). If you want it even faster, use the Windows key and P shortcut.

Eyefinity technology: AMD Catalyst and Crimson

AMD also offers a special feature in the area of multi-monitoring. It goes by the name of “
Eyefinity
” and is a technology that multiplies the screen. This technology is primarily intended for gamers and professional users and developers. Up to six screens can be connected using the Radeon™ graphics cards.

However, the settings for Eyefinity are not in the standard Windows settings, but in AMD’s own graphics card driver tool. This was once called “Catalyst Control Center” – CCC for short – but was replaced by the AMD Radeon software “Crimson” in 2015. This can also be called up by right-clicking on the desktop. This video shows exactly how to set up an Eyefinity display group.

Non-embedded AMD GPUs

Of course, in addition to embedded GPUs, there are also graphics processors that are not embedded in the system. An overview of these desktop and mobile graphics processors can be found here. Thanks to a native AGP interface, the GPUs can be used on PCI graphics cards without any problems. The settings for multi-monitor operation with non-embedded graphics cards are also identical to those described above.

AMD systems at spo-comm

The spo-comm product portfolio also offers two AMD-based Mini-PCs. Firstly, our passively cooled RUGGED Ryzen, which can play content in a resolution of 4K@60Hz on four screens simultaneously thanks to its Ryzen V1807B CPU with integrated Vega 11 GPU and a total of four DisplayPorts. The second system is the AMD counterpart to our bestseller in the digital signage sector, KUMO V. The KUMO Ryzen is also equipped with the powerful Ryzen V1807B processor, which comes with the Vega 11 graphics unit. Thanks to the four DisplayPort 1.4 interfaces, the system is perfectly suited for use in high-end digital signage applications.

Discover the KUMO range

SmartFan with active cooling in the Mini-PC

If you opt for a Mini PC with active cooling, i.e. a system with a fan, there are various methods to ensure that the PC has a longer life expectancy. Because whoever says activecooling must also say BIOS settings.

Good to know: What is BIOS?

What is SmartFan?

Active cooling cools a Mini PC with the help of fans. Thanks to SmartFan technology, the rotation speed of the fans is adapted to the necessary requirements. These depend, for example, on the utilization of the PC. As the name “SmartFan” suggests, these adjustments are made completely automatically. The various values, including the current CPU or system temperature, can be viewed in the BIOS under “PChealth” (see Fig. 1).

Manual setting of SmartFan values

However, it may be that an actively cooled mini PC is used in an office and is too loud due to the high rotational speed. In such cases, the “CPU Fan Smart Mode” can also be set to “Manual Mode” in the BIOS (see Fig. 2). This allows all previously automatically adjusted values to be set manually. Figure 3 shows what it can look like if the “Fan Start Temperature”, i.e. the temperature at which the fan starts to rotate, is set manually.

Active or passive cooling?

When choosing the right Mini PC, there is one important feature that influences the longevity of the system. And that is the cooling. We have already explained the differences, advantages and disadvantages of active and passive cooling – i.e. a mini PC with or without a cooler – on our blog.

When does active cooling make sense?

As mentioned in our article on active and passive cooling, it can be said:

“In most cases, active cooling […] makes sense if the environment of the place of use allows exhaust air so that no heat build-up occurs. This is the case, for example, when an embedded PC is installed in racks, cabinets, tables and the like. Active cooling is also useful when resource-hungry applications […] cause the processor and graphics chips to experience an above-average rise in temperature.”

Installation of actively cooled systems

Mini PCs with fans are often installed in steles or similar. Care must be taken to give the holes in the system housing room to breathe – in the truest sense of the word. There must be enough space between the mini PC and a wall, for example, so that the fan can draw in enough air and then let it out again.

When does passive cooling make sense?

Systems with a passive cooling system are ideal for “harsh working environments such as factory halls, production rooms or workshops, as the fanless computers are less susceptible to dust or similar. Installations […] where it can be a little colder than usual” also benefit from the use of fanless systems. But a passive cooling system can also score points in high-end digital signage. Our prime examples of this are our RUGGED GTX 1050 Ti and the RUGGED Ryzen.
Our passively cooled systems are probably the best choice for all those who rely on a very long service life for their mini PC. Thanks to the properties of passive cooling, they defy all adversities and thus guarantee years of reliability even under the toughest conditions.

Installation of passively cooled systems

Just because a Mini PC is passively cooled does not mean that it can be installed completely airtight. Here, too, it is important to ensure that the computer is in the right environment during installation. A passively cooled Mini-PC dissipates the heat generated to its surroundings via the cooling fins. Therefore, even an industrial PC without a fan needs enough space for the warm exhaust air to escape.

What keeps a Mini PC healthy? In conclusion, it can be said that the right cooling is at least a large part of the health of your Mini PC. We explain what else contributes to this in other articles!

Intel Active Management Technology, or
iAMT
is a system for the administration and remote maintenance of PCs. It is based on the Intel vPro platform and consists of its own hardware component, the Intel Management Engine (Intel ME for short). This is installed as a microcontroller in all current chipsets, including Intel Core i3, i5, i7 and Xeon processors.

This microcontroller always runs when the computer has power, as it is supplied via the 5-volt supply of the power supply unit. The PC does not have to be switched on for this. This hardware-based management has the advantage that most features can also be used when the PC is switched off or has crashed. There are only a few functions for which the computer must be running. The PC to be managed via iAMT can be controlled via cable or WLAN.

What functions does iAMT have?

iAMT can perform various tasks, such as

• Switching the PC on or off remotely
• Direct the boot process in a different direction, e.g. to boot from a CD
• Reset computer
• Change BIOS settings
• Switching the power supply on and off
• Redirect keyboard, mouse and screen output via KVM switch
• Read out information about errors
• Trigger remote control sessions

What are the disadvantages of iAMT?

Unfortunately, iAMT has enormous security gaps. The German Federal Office for Information Security issued a warning about Intel Active Management Technology back in 2015. In 2017, it became known that it was possible to take over computers completely.

More info

As the name suggests, “Wake on LAN” (WOL for short) describes a standard for starting a PC via the built-in network card, i.e. switching it on. This can be done via the local network, but WOL also offers the option – and here we come to the big advantage – of switching on the computer via the Internet.

What are the requirements for Wake on LAN?

The prerequisite for Wake on LAN is that both the mainboard and the network card support the WOL standard. In addition, ACPI or at least the predecessor APM must be activated in the BIOS and a reasonably up-to-date version of Windows, Linux or Mac OS should be running on the PC. Wake on LAN can be used to wake a computer from the idle states S3 (Standby/STR), S4 (Hibernation/STD) and S5 (Soft-Off) (we have explained the different modes in more detail in our article on ACPI). However, it is important that the network card is permanently supplied with power via a standby power branch of the power supply unit – even when the PC is switched off. The computer must also be connected to the router via a network cable.

Good to know: What is ACPI?

How does switching on via Wake on LAN work?

Switching on is done via a so-called “Magic Package”, which is sent to the network card. It contains the hexadecimal value FF six times in succession, followed by the MAC address of the network card, which is repeated sixteen times without a pause. This Magic Package can be sent from another computer in the network. If you are not on site and want to switch on a PC via the Internet, you can use another PC, a smartphone or even a NAS. Detailed instructions on how to configure a computer for Wake on LAN can be found at PC-Welt.

The power button is, as the name suggests, a switch that can be used to turn electrical appliances on and off. With computers, such as our mini PCs, the function is now limited to switching them on. Whereas in the past, with Windows 95 and the like, we had to wait for minutes until the PC was shut down and could be switched off, this now happens completely automatically. It is only required for hard shutdown during operation – if the PC hangs up, for example. However, as this can cause software problems, we should only do this in an emergency. Depending on the settings in the software, the power button can also be used, for example, to put the running PC into hibernation mode.

What does a power button look like?

Unlike the interfaces, for example, the appearance of the power button is not specified. It can take on various sizes and shapes, depending on how it suits the design or is practical. The power button often has an integrated LED that lights up to signal that the PC is running.

How does a power button work technically?

A cable is connected to the power button, which is connected to two pins on the mainboard. Pressing the power button closes a circuit on the mainboard. At that moment, the power supply unit receives the signal to supply the computer with power and thus start it up.

What are the advantages of the power button?

The power button is actually a very practical invention. After all, it offers the great advantage that we can use it to switch a PC on and off very easily in an emergency.

What are the disadvantages of the power button?

The disadvantage of the power button is that we always have to be close to the PC when we want to switch it on. In many industrial applications, however, the computer used is permanently installed and is not necessarily freely accessible. Fortunately, there are also other ways to switch on a PC.

What are the alternatives to the power button?

An alternative is an external power switch, such as the one offered for our BOX N2930. A cable can be used to place the power button on the outside while the PC is installed in a cabinet, pedestal or similar.

Another option is Wake On LAN. The PC is started via the network card. A computer can also be started via the keyboard or mouse and thus via USB (Wake on USB). ACPI is a prerequisite for these options.

Another example is the ultra-small Raspberry Pi single-board computer. It has neither a power button nor Wake on LAN or similar (as it has no BIOS), but boots up as soon as it receives power. To switch it off, it is shut down manually like all other PCs.

More spo-comm knowledge

ACPI is the abbreviation for “Advanced Configuration and Power Interface” and describes an open industry standard for the power management of PCs, laptops and servers. In order to be able to use ACPI, both ACPI-compatible hardware (mainboard, power supply unit, etc.) and an ACPI-compatible operating system (e.g. Windows) are required. ACPI was published in 1996 and is being developed by Intel, Microsoft, HP and other IT companies. In this case, the operating system has control over power management. This has a better overview of the power requirements of the computer and the possibilities for saving energy than the BIOS. In contrast to its predecessor APM, with ACPI the BIOS only has the task of communicating with the hardware.

What is APM?

APM stands for “Advanced Power Management “. The term also describes a standard for energy-saving methods for PCs. APM was developed by Intel and Microsoft in the early 1990s. With this standard, the energy-saving functions are mainly managed by the BIOS and the hardware. Since the introduction of ACPI, however, APM has only played a subordinate role.

How does ACPI work?

To better understand how power management works under ACPI, we need to go a little further and take a closer look at the different states a computer can be in with ACPI. The so-called G-State describes four possible states: The mode “G0” designates the active state (“Working”) in which work can be carried out, “G1” the sleep state, “G2” is the so-called “Soft-Off” – a PC with ATX standby voltage, while “G3” describes the computer with the plug pulled out (“Mechanical off”). In the G1 state, a distinction is made between the various resting states or sleep states (S-states for short):

• S0: Working – System is switched on, functional and completely ready for use.
• S1: Sleep – Simple sleep mode in which the CPU is stopped.
• S2: Deeper Sleep – Extended sleep mode in which other components such as the CPU cache are switched off.
• S3: Standby mode – Most of the hardware on the motherboard is switched off. The mode is also referred to as “Suspend to RAM” (STR) or “Suspend to memory” (STM), i.e. the operating status is still stored in a volatile memory(RAM).
• S4: Hibernation – also known as “Suspend to disk” (STD) – This means that the operating status is saved on a non-volatile memory(hard disk or SSD). System could be disconnected from the power supply.
• S5: Soft-off mode – system is switched off (shut down), only the power supply unit supplies voltage. The system can be activated via a power button or, if necessary, via Wake on LAN.

In addition to the G and S states already mentioned, a distinction is also made between ten different processor states – CPU states, or “C states” for short – and five possible device states – device states, or “D states” for short.

What are the advantages of ACPI?

The advantage of standby and hibernation is that the PC does not have to restart completely and is ready for operation again more quickly. During these modes, we can also leave programs and files we are currently working with open.

More spo-comm knowledge

Windows 7 – The end has come

We already announced in our news in June last year that spo-comm can only provide support for Windows 10 on new systems.

And now the time has come for all other systems too. The Windows 7 SB versions are no longer available. The spo-comm Mini-PCs will now only be supplied with Windows 10(IoT) or – after consultation – with Windows 7 Embedded.

AI AI Captain: spo-comm at the Nuremberg Digital Festival 2019

We will be taking part in this year’s Nuremberg Digital Festival with an exciting event under the motto of Artificial Intelligence. Here, our participants learn what Nvidia’s CUDA programming technology has to do with AI and deep learning. We have summarized more information about our guest speakers, application examples from our customers and the event itself in a separate blog article.

spo-comm goes NUE Digital

CUDA & 4K: Nvidia’s Jetson Nano Development Kit

As the name suggests, Nvidia has launched a new board for developers. It goes by the name of Jetson Nano and has four ARM processor cores with a performance of 1.43 GHz at its heart. These are combined with a 4GB LPDDR4 RAM. The Developer Kit has a total power consumption of just 5 watts. The Jetson Nano also comes with 128 CUDA cores with which videos can be encoded in a resolution of 4K@60 Hz in the H.264 standard and decoded in the H.265 standard.

Despite its small dimensions of just 100 x 80 x 29 mm, the Jetson Nano has passive cooling and numerous connections. These include five USB ports, one of which is a micro USB, an HDMI and DisplayPort for connecting monitors, as well as a Gigabit LAN port. A camera can also be connected via the CSI-2 and a microSD card slot is also available.

Further information on the Jetson Nano can be found here and in a video from Nvidia.

The abbreviation UEFI stands for “Unified Extensible Firmware Interface”. It is the successor to the BIOS (Basic Input/Output System) and is much easier to use. UEFI is an interface between the firmware, the individual hardware components of the computer and the operating system. UEFI has the same basic functions as the BIOS. It initializes the hardware, tests the individual hardware components and initiates the start of the operating system.

How was UEFI developed?

BIOS was developed back in the 1970s for the first IBM PC, which appeared in 1981. So it’s not surprising that it’s getting a bit long in the tooth. Because it is not 64-bit-capable, BIOS no longer met the requirements of newer hardware. Intel then took the first step and developed the successor EFI, which was specified in 1998. In order to further develop EFI, the Unified EFI Forum was founded, which includes Intel, AMD, Microsoft and other manufacturers. The first version of UEFI was finally released in 2006 and has been supported by Windows since Windows Vista.

What is Secure Boot?

Probably the most important new feature of the UEFI is Secure Boot, which increases the security of the boot process. It prevents malware from being loaded during the boot process, which could then manipulate or attack the computer. This is done using a digital key with which the boot loader and programs must identify themselves. If software is present that cannot authenticate itself, the system is prevented from starting.

What are the advantages of UEFI?

• Graphical user interface which – unlike the BIOS – can also be operated with the mouse instead of just the keyboard.
• 64-bit support
• Drivers can be integrated directly or loaded as a module.
• Faster boot process, as the hardware is prepared in parallel during initialization and not one after the other as with the BIOS.
• Booting from hard disks larger than 2 TB is possible.
• Network support: The UEFI can go online and be updated to a newer version, for example.
• Certain functions can be used even before the operating system is started.
• Several operating systems can be installed in parallel.
  The user can select which parts of the operating system are to be loaded.

What are the disadvantages of UEFI?

• 64-bit is required.
• Danger for viruses and Trojans due to network support, UEFI has no integrated anti-virus software.
• Secure Boot causes problems when using Linux.

How do I get into the UEFI?

If you want to access the UEFI, on most computers you have to press the “Del” key several times in quick succession immediately after switching on the PC. If this does not lead to success, it is worth taking a look at the manual. In some cases, it is a different key that enables access to the BIOS or UEFI.

More spo-comm knowledge